The Ghana Police Service has arrested nine people for illegal mining, also known as galamsey, as part of its ongoing fight against the activity.
According to Environmental Journalist Erastus Asare Donkor, the suspects were found mining along the main road to Dunkwa in the Western Region. The operation was carried out by a special police team based on intelligence. The team was led by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACPOL) Eric Asiedu, Head of Police Special Operations.
During the raid at Wassa Dunkwa, police also seized four excavators, three power generators, five water pumping machines, and five motorbikes used by the miners.
The arrested suspects have been named as Kofi Takyi (42), Evans Nkrumah (39), Akayibri Justin (27), Nana Bediako (27), Nana Yaw Boateng (19), Shon-Vitus (21), Gideon Asodina (27), Atanga Sampson (27), and Yaw Sey (30).
For the past month, the special team has been cracking down on illegal mining in the Samreboi area. Their efforts have focused on stopping activities that pollute the Tano River and destroy nearby forests.
